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2007 Top 10 Prospects By Team
American League East
Baltimore Orioles · Boston Red Sox · New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Devil Rays · Toronto Blue Jays
American League Central
Chicago White Sox · Cleveland Indians · Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals · Minnesota Twins
American League West
Los Angeles Angels · Oakland A's · Seattle Mariners · Texas Rangers
National League East
Atlanta Braves · Florida Marlins · New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies · Washington Nationals
National League Central
Chicago Cubs · Cincinnati Reds · Houston Astros
Milwaukee Brewers · Pittsburgh Pirates · St. Louis Cardinals
National League Central
Arizona Diamondbacks · Colorado Rockies · Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres · San Francisco Giants

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Top Prospect Alert Archive 2-5-07 / 2-13-07
Return To TopProspectAlert.com Home

2-13-07
Prospect of the Day
Russ Canzler

Russ Canzler the Chicago Cubs 30th round pick in the 2004 draft had a breakout season in 2006. Canzler had been stuck in the Arizona rookie league for two seasons since turning pro out of a Pennsylvania high school. The third baseman batted a combined .278 with just two homeruns in his first two seasons. He began last year at Short-A Boise, and responded well to the change of scenery. Canzler batted .264 and tied for the Northwest League lead with 16 homeruns, and a career high 22 doubles, while driving in 61 runs in 72 games. While the power numbers were nice, Canzler did strikeout 70 times in 280 at-bats. Expect Canzler, who turns 21 in April, to begin 2007 at Low-A Peoria.

2-13-07
Miguel Cabrera No Shows Florida Marlins Fanfest; Gets Called Out By Ownership
--MiamiHerald.com

2-13-07
Cal Ripken Talks Baseball At Dan Majerle Celebrity Golf Tournament In Phoenix
--AZCentral.com

2-13-07
Andy Benes Shares Stories At Arkansas State Leadoff Banquet
--ASUIndians.com

2-13-07
Florida Prep Prospect D.J. Leonard's Spine Injury To Keep Him Out Of Action In 2007
--PalmBeachPost.com

2-13-07
Nick Green & Dennis Dove Prepare For Spring Training
--TiftonGazette.com

2-13-07
Josh Hamilton Working Hard To Take Advantage Of His Second Chance At Baseball
--WashingtonPost.com

2-13-07
Former Cincinnati Reds Shortstop Barry Larkin Honored By Michigan
--Cincinnati.com

2-13-07
Former Cleveland Indians Farmhand George Ceccheti Starts Olive Oil Business
--LodiNews.com

2-13-07
Marquis Grissom Creates Youth Baseball League
--TheCitizen.com

2-13-07
Josh Phelps Hopes To Find Similar Success To That Of His Rookie Season
--NYDailyNews.com

2-13-07
Chris Volstad To Spend Spring Training At His Childhood Home
--PalmBeachPost.com

2-13-07
Prospect Nation's Weekly Look At The College Performances Of Team USA Alumni
--ProspectNation.com

2-13-07
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2-12-07
Prospect of the Day
Kyle Jackson

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Kyle Jackson had an eye opening season in 2006. Jackson was originally selected by Boston in the 32nd round of the 2001 draft out of a New Hampshire high school and signed as a draft and follow after a year at St. Petersburg College. After four unspectacular seasons as a starter, the 6'3" righthander was moved to the bullpen to begin last season, and posted a combined 9-1 record with a 1.98 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 46 relief appearances. His best baseball came at High-A Wilmington where he went 6-0 with a 1.59 ERA to begin the season. Overall he held opposing batters to .199 batting average and allowed just three homeruns in 82 innings of work. For his efforts the Red Sox added Jackson to their 40 man roster. Expect the Nashua native who turns 24 in April to begin 2007 at Triple-A Pawtucket and possibly see some work with the Red Sox should their bullpen get thin later in the season.

2-12-07
Diasuke Matsuzaka's Beer Chugging Spot Of Concern To Red Sox
--FoxSports.com

2-12-07
How Big Of A Steroid Cloud Will Hang Over The 2007 Baseball Season
--BaltimoreSun.com

2-12-07
Former St. Louis Cardinals Fan Favorite Stubby Clapp Talks About His Future
--LFPress.ca

2-12-07
Oregon State Baseball Team Wins Every Oregon Sports Award They Were Nominated For
--OregonLive.com

2-12-07
Kansas City Royals Already Working On Their Selection Of The Second Overall Pick In June's Draft
--KansasCity.com

2-12-07
Troy Percival Spending Time & Money To Help Boost UC Riverside's Baseball Facilites
--LATimes.com

2-12-07
Mark Grace, Joe Girardi, & Eric Karros To Make Up Fox's #2 Broadcast Team
--TucsonCitizen.com

2-12-07
Story On Vintage Baseball Card Collector Elmer Capps
--FayObserver.com

2-12-07
Detroit Tigers Outfielder Craig Monroe Visits Home Town Of Texarkana
--TexarkanaGazette.com

2-12-07
Look At The Career Of MLB & Negro League Hall Of Famer Leon Day
--BaltimoreSun.com

2-11-07
Prospect of the Day
Connor Robertson

A 31st round draft pick from 2004 who is making a name for himself as a pro is Oakland A's pitching prospect Connor Robertson. The 25 year old played his college ball at Birmingham Southern where as a senior he batted .282 with 21 homeruns while posting a 5-2 record with a 2.37 ERA on the mound. A full time pitcher in the Athletics organization, Robertson went 7-2 with 6 saves, a 2.80 ERA, and 97 strikeouts in 83.2 innings out of the Midland Rockhounds bullpen. He allowed just one homeruns on the season. In his three year minor league career, the 6'3" righthander has a career ERA of 2.52. Expect Robertson to begin 2007 at Triple-A Sacramento and likely have a shot to earn some work out of the Oakland bullpen late in the season.

2-11-07
Former Big League Pitcher David Cone Talks About Fatherhood
--Courant.com

2-11-07
Former Penn State Behrend Outfielder Jake Boyle Dies From Brain Tumor At Age 26
--MeadvilleTribune.com

2-11-07
Longtime Chicago Cubs Radio Man Andy Masur Jumps To San Diego
--ChicagoSports.com

2-11-07
Story On Minnesota Twins Catching Great Earl Battey
--BlackAthlete.net

2-11-07
Lakeland Florida Looking Forward To Being TigerTown Once Again This Spring
--DailyTribune.com

2-10-07
Prospect of the Day
Rowdy Hardy

With a name that could be among the best in minor league baseball, Kansas City Royals pitching prospect Rowdy Hardy posted a pro debut with the Idaho Falls Chuckars in 2006. Hardy was signed by KC as a fifth year senior out of Austin Peay University. The two time Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year had his collegiate career ended when he was declared academically ineligible just prior to the OVC Tournament. Prior to that time he posted a 9-3 record with a 2.58 ERA in 14 starts for the Governors as a senior. With Idaho Falls, the 6'4" southpaw continued to pitch well going 5-3 with a 2.80 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. Hardy allowed just five walks on the season which was the fewest base on balls allowed by any pitcher in the Pioneer League who threw over 42 innings. Expect the 24 year old Dallas native to begin 2007 at Low-A Burlington, and likely be promoted to High-A Wilmington should he find early season success.

2-10-07
Los Angeles Angels 32nd Rounder Chris Lewis Survives Head On Collision With Drunk Driver
--OCRegister.com

2-10-07
Lou Brock Promoting New Business Venture In Rolla Missouri
--WaynesvilleDailyGuide.com

2-10-07
MLB.TV Selling Webcast Of College Tournament In Houston
--MLB.com

2-10-07
Justin Morneau Talks About His Off-Season Workout Routine
--Canada.com

2-10-07
Florida Star Matt LaPorta Talks About Turning Down Contract With Boston To Return To Play His Senior Season With The Gators
--PalmBeachPost.com

2-10-07
March 3rd To Be Jim Abbott Day In Galesburg Illinois
--Register-Mail.com

2-10-07
C.J. Nitkowski Writing Journal On Japanese League Experience
--MSNBC.com

2-10-07
Jim Parque Talks About His Attempt To Return To The Big Leagues
--SeattlePI.com

2-10-07
Pittsburgh Pirates Reliever Matt Capps Talks About His Baseball Upbringing
--Bradenton.com

2-10-07
John Smoltz & Wife Dyan Divorce After 16 Years Of Marriage
--AJC.com

2-10-07
Akinori Iwamura Introduced In Tampa Bay
--CasperStarTribune.net

2-10-07
At Age 84 Jackie Robinson's Widow Rachel Continues To Fight For Civil Rights Causes
--NorwichBulletin.com

2-10-07
Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons Believes He Has Job Security In Toronto
--TheGlobeAndMail.com

2-9-07
Prospect of the Day
Corey Coles

Corey Coles hasn't exactly been on the fast track since being drafted by the New York Mets back in 2003. However, the outfielder who played his college ball at Louisiana-Lafayette, has been making the most of his time in the minor leagues. Coles, who just turned 25, led the Florida State League in hitting in 2006 batting .341 with 1 homerun and 45 rbi's. While the left handed hitter has little power, he can hit the gaps as he smacked 26 doubles, and also has speed swiping 21 bases on the year. Coles also does not strikeout much, just 59 times in 458 at-bats, while drawing 48 walks last season. In an injury shortened 2005 Coles batted .307 with 16 doubles in 68 games at Hagerstown. Expect the lifetime .313 hitter to begin 2007 at Double-A Binghamton.

2-9-07
Longtime Minor Leaguers Corey & Casey Myers Helping Dad Clint Coach Softball At Arizona State During The Off-Season
--EastValleyTribune.com

2-9-07
Oakland A's Prospect Jeff Baisley Talks About His Midwest League MVP Season
--SuburbanChicagoNews.com

2-9-07
Brian Barden Hopes To Earn A Bench Job With The Arizona Diamondbacks This Spring
--TucsonCitizen.com

2-9-07
Remembering Former Chicago Cubs Manager Jim Frey's 1984 Pool Victory Over The Legendary Willie Mosconi
--Crossville-Chronicle.com

2-9-07
Over 18% Of Korean Baseball Players Are Making Over One Million Won Per Year
--Donga.com

2-9-07
Youth League Player Who Suffered Brain Damage After Being Hit With A Line Drive Last June Set To Return Home
--NYTimes.com

2-9-07
Philadelphia Phillies Load Up Semi-Truck With Gear Headed To Clearwater For Spring Training
--MercuryNews.com

2-9-07
Story On Major League Baseball's Third Black Player Hank Thompson
--BlackAthlete.net

2-9-07
Houston Astros Fanfest Is This Weekend
--Chron.com

2-9-07
Frank Howard & Ken Macha To Headlines Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall Of Fame Banquet
--Roanoke.com

2-9-07
Exploring The Spring Training Workout Routine Of The Detroit Tigers
--DetNews.com

2-8-07
Prospect of the Day
Vinny Rottino

With Corey Koskie still out of action due to post concussion syndrome, and Ryan Braun likely to get a month or two of seasoning at Triple-A Nashville, the sleeper pick in the Milwaukee Brewers third base battle could be Vinny Rottino. The Racine Wisconsin native was signed by the Brewers as a non drafted free agent back in 2003 after four seasons at UW Lacrosse. With veteran utility men Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell in camp, Rottino will need a solid spring to find himself at the hot corner on opening day, however it is not out of the realm of possibilities. The soon to be 27 year old corner infielder made his major league debut with a cup of coffee after batting .314 with 7 homeruns and 42 rbi's at Triple-A Nashville last season. Rottino is a career .306 hitter in the minors who's best season came in 2004 when he destroyed the Midwest League batting .304 with 17 homeruns 25 doubles, and a team record 124 rbi's for Beloit. If he loses out in the third base battle, Rottino should still be able to earn as spot as a reserve player with the Brewers this spring.

2-8-07
David Eckstein & A.J. Pierzynski Ready To Settle Score At TNA Wrestling Pay Per View
--STLToday.com

2-8-07
Former Big League Pitcher Jonathan Johnson Talks About Returning To Baseball After A Three Year Retirement
--TheState.com

2-8-07
San Francisco Giants Third Base Coach Tim Flannery Puts Out Music CD
--NCTimes.com

2-8-07
Lakewood BlueClaws Looking For Host Families For 2007 Season
--GMNews.com

2-8-07
Giants Infielder Kevin Frandsen Honored By Santa Clara County California
--SJSUSpartans.com

2-8-07
Scott Thorman Looking Forward To Starting In Atlanta
--AJC.com

2-8-07
Bill Madlock, Lee Smith, & Fergie Jenkins To Appear At Rockford Riverhawks Fanfest
--OurSportsCentral.com

2-8-07
Q&A With Twins GM Terry Ryan
--GazetteExtra.com

2-8-07
West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx Hope New Slogan "It's A Hit" Will Help Draw More Than The 1500 People Per Game They Averaged Last Season
--JacksonSun.com

2-8-07
Derek Jeter Men's Cologne Posts Over $10 Million In Sales For Avon Company
--Mediapost.com

2-8-07
John Mizerock Talks About Beginning His Second Stint As Wilmington Blue Rocks Manager
--DelawareOnline.com

2-8-07
Pennsylvania Town Still Carries On Legacy Of Christy Mathewson
--Newage-Examiner.com

2-8-07
Court Denies Visitation Rights For Albert Belle To See His Six Year Old Daughter
--Bradenton.com

2-7-07
Prospect of the Day
Paul Mildren

The best season by an Australian pitcher in the minors this year may have belonged to Paul Mildren. Originally signed by the Florida Marlins back in 2001, the Adelaide product posted a very solid season at Double-A Carolina in 2006. The 6'1" lefty finished third in the Southern League with 150 strikeouts while posting a 10-10 record with a 4.14 ERA in 167.1 innings of work. This came on the heals of an impressive 10-3 season in which he posted a 3.08 ERA at High-A Jupiter. Expect Mildren, who turns 23 in May, to begin 2007 at Triple-A Albuquerque, and likely be in a Marlins uniform at some point before the year is out.

NEW:Top Prospect Alert Photos
Mike Carp · Tyler Clippard
Matt Garza · Philip Humber
Ben Jukich · Mike Pelfrey

2-7-07
Story On Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Brandon James
--Cumberlink.com

2-7-07
Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Jamie Walker Highlights Austin Peay University Kickoff Banquet
--TheLeafChronicle.com

2-7-07
Washington Nationals Pitcher Mike O'Conner Hoping For Healthy 2007 Season
--Herald-Mail.com

2-7-07
Story On 1980's Cup Of Coffee Cleveland Indians Pitcher John Bohnet
--TimesHeraldOnline.com

2-7-07
Story On The Confusion Caused By Having Two Seung-Yeop Lee's and Two Byung-gyu Lee's Playing Baseball In Asia
--Donga.com

2-7-07
Cal Ripken To Host 5K Run To Cooperstown Week Prior To Induction Day
--BizJournals.com

2-7-07
NASCAR Has No Pension Plan For Retired Drivers
--HelenaIR.com

2-7-07
Dan Uggla Talks About Living Up To Sophomore Expectations After His Being An All-Star As A Rookie
--SportingNews.com

2-7-07
Rangers Outfielder Nelson Cruz Talks About The Caribbean Series & His Chances In Texas This Coming Season
--MLB.com

2-7-07
Story On Baylor's Freshman Class
--Baylor.edu

2-7-07
Naples Florida Art Museum Opening America's Game Exhibit
--ZWire.com

2-7-07
Top Prospect Alert Interview
Jeremey Slayden - Philadelphia Phillies

2-6-07
Prospect of the Day
Mark Shorey

Mark Shorey a late round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2006 made some noise in his pro debut. The Cards selected Shorey in the 31st Round out of High Point University where the left handed hitting outfielder posted an outstanding senior season in which he batted .408 with 20 homeruns and 62 rbi's. He carried his power with him to Johnson City where in 58 games Shorey hit an Appalachian League leading 13 homeruns and drove in 47 runners while batting .265 on the season. Expect Shorey who turned 22 in August, to begin 2007 at Low-A Quad Cities

2-6-07
Former UNC Wilmington Star Mike Foucht Killed In Auto Accident
--WWAYTV3.com

2-6-07
Look Back At The High School & College Days Of Phillies Star Chase Utley
--DailyNews.com

2-6-07
100 Year Old Former Negro Leaguer Wallace Williams Recalls His Playing Days
--Post-Gazette.com

2-6-07
Full Review Of NCAA Baseball 2007 From EA Sports
--IGN.com

2-6-07
Another In A Long Line Of Hype Stories On Kevin Kouzmanoff
--USAToday.com

2-6-07
Will Phil Hughes Or Homey Bailey Become The Next Justin Verlander
--FoxSports.com

2-6-07
Boo Ferriss Award Banquet Honoring Mississippi's Best Collegiate Player Moves To Cleveland MS
--ZWire.com

2-6-07
Barry Larkin To Be Inducted Into Michigan Wolverines Athletic Hall Of Fame This Weekend
--Cincinnati.com

2-6-07
Bruce Sutter To Be Inducted Into Missouri Sports Hall Of Fame In Springfield
--MoSports.com

2-5-07
Prospect of the Day
Jhonny Nunez

The Washington Nationals, who arguably have one of the worst farm systems in all of baseball, took a small step towards improvement by picking up one of the Gulf Coast League's top pitchers from 2006 in an late season trade with the Dodgers for Marlon Anderson. Jhonny Nunez, who did not pitch once joining the Nationals organization, was among the Dodgers best first year talents on the mound. The Dominican native made his pro debut with the GCL Dodgers going 6-0, finished third in the league with a 1.58 ERA and recorded 56 strikeouts in 57 innings. The 6'3" righthander held opposing hitters to a .177 batting average and did not allow a homerun on the season. Expect the 22 year old Nunez to begin 2007 at Low-A Hagerstown, and likely finish the year at High-A Potomac.

2-5-07
Jonathan Papelbon Gets Booed By New York Fans At Black Tie New York Baseball Writers Dinner
--Boston.com

2-5-07
Orlando Cepeda To Be Inducted Into African American Ethnic Sports Hall Of Fame
--InsideBayArea.com

2-5-07
Victor Martinez Hoping To Improve Upon 2006 Which Saw Him Throw Out Just 16 Of 116 Runners Who Attempted To Steal On Him
--Cleveland.com

2-5-07
Story On Osibee Jelks One Of Just Two Black Umpires In Organized Baseball During The 1960's
--NYDailyNews.com

2-5-07
Vanderbilt Beats Jeremy Sowers-less Alumni Team 6-2
--VandyMania.com

2-5-07
Vinny Castilla Talks About Taking His Final Swings As Player On Mexico's National Team
--MLB.com

2-5-07
Tony Graffanino Content With Being Major League Journeyman
--DelawareOnline.com

2-5-07
Mitch Williams Parks Over Lit Mini Grill Outside Wachovia Center & Has His '06 Chrysler 300 Go Up In Flames
--Philly.com